Bobcats turn to Barnwell to lead football program
By Bart Moss / For the FCT
The Franklin County Board of Education has hired Russellville assistant coach and Hackleburg native Kevin Barnwell to lead the Phil Campbell football program.
The hire came at the March 20 Board of Education meeting. It follows the resignation of Ryan Swinney in January.
“Kevin is a hard worker and a person of good character,” said Greg Hamilton, Franklin County superintendent. “I think he will be an excellent fit for Phil Campbell High School and our school system.”
Barnwell, currently an at-risk/in-school suspension teacher at Russellville Elementary School, has been an assistant coach at Russellville High School since 2012.
He has coached outside linebackers and defensive line. Barnwell also coached quarterbacks, defensive backs, and served as offensive coordinator for the Russellville junior varsity team.
“I am glad to be part of a community and a school that has a tradition,” said Barnwell, a 1989 graduate of Hackleburg High School. “Half of my family is from there, and I am ready to get the ball rolling.”
One thing Barnwell said he wants to instill is a sense of commitment.
“I want to get people committed to our football program,” explained Barnwell. “Not only players, though. I am going to ask everyone to get involved, from the players to their parents, the businesses, churches – anyone who wants to be a part of making Phil Campbell football a success.”
Barnwell said his passion for coaching goes back to his high school coaches.
“I’ve always wanted to be a head coach,” he said. “A head coach can forge so many positive relationships with kids. That’s what I’ve always noticed from the coaches I had in school, like Coach Anglin, Coach Smith and Coach Watts at Hackleburg. I want to give back to kids what those guys gave to me – a positive impact.”
Although being a head football coach involves developing workout plans, game plans, facility maintenance and many other things, Barnwell said he sees the job of a head coach with a higher purpose.
“I used to think being a head coach was all about X’s and O’s and pushing kids hard,” explained Barnwell. “But it’s really more about building quality relationships. It is about making those who are a part of the program better people. It’s about teaching them lessons they can carry with them in life to be better workers, husbands and parents.”
If Barnwell’s tenure as the head at Phil Campbell High School is going to be successful, it is going to be built around five pillars.
“I think for a program to be successful we have to have commitment, effort, toughness, pride and discipline,” said Barnwell. “If we can get guys to buy into those five things, I think the winning will take care of itself.”
Barnwell planned to meet the returning members of the Phil Campbell football program, and any boy in the school wanting to play, last week.
